HC Deb 22 April 1953 vol 514 cc1165-6
44. Mr. Dugdale

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it was on his authority that the Provincial Commissioner for the Southern Province of Nyasaland officially advised the chairman of the Nyasaland Hotel Keepers' Association to send a circular letter to all Nyasaland hotel keepers on the subject of serving Africans in hotels and bars.

Mr. Lyttelton

This matter falls fully within the Governor's discretion and my authority was neither sought nor needed. The Governor has informed me that on his instructions the Provincial Commissioner has recently and semi-officially sought the aid of a leading representative of the Nyasaland hotel keepers in preserving good race relations.

Mr. Dugdale

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that it helps to preserve good race relations to take action which is expressly stated to be to expedite the exodus of Africans from hotels as rapidly as possible and to stop what is called, "this form of unpleasantness," namely their arrival in hotels?

Mr. Lyttelton

I do not know what document the right hon. Gentleman is reading from. My information is that on the whole the appeals have been responded to by the hotel people.

Mr. Dugdale

I am reading from the letter sent out by the chairman of the Hotel Keepers' Association stating that it was sent out on the advice of the Provincial Commissioner.

Mr. Lyttelton

The right hon. Gentleman will have to lay the letter and put a Question on the Paper.